Considering Stockton

316,996

Population

Sunny Days: 257

95100 Affordability

79100 Schools

90100 Diversity

65100 Safety

See all the facts!

LookyLOO Review of Stockton

Cali without the price tag.

Stockton has some of the positives of surrounding California cities while dodging many of the negatives. Getting its start as a farming town, Stockton has easy access to organic produce and gorgeous wineries, like Northern California. It’s also one of the most diverse cities in the US and often receives awards for its diverse population. There’s also a ton to do, including the Stockton Symphony, the third-oldest professional orchestra in California, multiple sports teams, museums and historical societies, and outdoor activities. Unlike other areas in CA, Stockton has a relatively low cost of living compared to other cities. With a mix of renters and buyers, it’s easy to have the Bay feel without the price tag!

It’s impossible to read reviews about Stockton without seeing the complaints about crime. The crime rate in Stockton is about 71% higher than the California average. Most attribute this to the 2008 recession and Stockton is just now starting to pick itself back up again after those devastating few years.

Lifestyle

In 2020, US News named Stockton America’s most diverse city! In spite of the crime, Stockton is boasted by locals as a community of people who work hard and care about one another. Unlike other cities, Stockton has a pretty even distribution of ages. The only population that seems to be slightly lower is the 18-24 age range, most likely because recently graduated teens move for school or job opportunities. The wide range of social and community activities means that Stockton has a high population of families with kids under 18 (about 50%).

To see what locals do for fun in Stockton check out the calendar of events.

Worklife

Stockton is a city that has been working hard to climb out of the financial crisis of 2008. Because of that, there has been a low amount of industry in the town itself, but the city is working to change that. Top industries in the city include healthcare, the Stockton School District, and city workers. The new Amazon warehouse in Stockton has provided the community with jobs and the hope of getting back on its feet.

Schools

Stockton Unified School District rates a "C+" on niche.com. The consensus around the district is that it has dedicated teachers who greatly care about the performance and lives of their students but in many cases work with overpopulation (high student-to-teacher ratios) and students at high risk.

Students are primarily zoned for the schools in their neighborhoods but they can also apply for open enrollment for schools throughout the district via a lottery system.

There are excellent schools in the district including:

-Stockton Unified Early College Academy is the #1 public charter in the region, receiving an "A+" on niche.com.
-Pacific Law Academy is the #4 best public high school in the region and receives an "A" on niche.com.

Why Move Here Now?

On The Rise

Stockton is on the rise again. The effort of the town to claw its way out of the 2008 recession has really started to show in the past year. If you want to move to a diverse, neighborly community where people support their local and small businesses and encourages it’s community to strive for more, Stockton is for you!

Reviews of Stockton from Locals

Dramatic_Zebra4831
Living in Stockton
2mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I moved to stockton about two years ago from san francisco, antioch, fairfield areas. i love my house and neighborhood. i have lived in the inner city for a good part of my life - also in nyc. stockton makes me feel like nyc. depends on the block and the area. get to know your neighbors and you’re pretty safe. once in a while you hear about issues. but tbh my block and neighborhood in country club area is really nice. quiet. everyone takes care of their house. the weather is beautiful in stockton and the change of seasons is awesome people are super nice. great shopping and places to eat. if you like the outdoors plenty of water sports, hiking and biking. lots of people are moving here from SF, LA and Boston in the last few years. don’t be afraid. but someone did say in another post if you’re not already somewhat street smart and comfortable with it, live in lodi, galt or manteca.
For more reviews of what living in Stockton is like from locals check out: The Reviews